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Multiple-Meaning Words

A multiple-meaning word is spelled and said the same way but means different things: a bat flies at night, and you hit a ball with a bat. Context is the only clue, which is why these words are such good reading practice.

Here are 124 multiple-meaning words from past ClueBy puzzles, each with a real example sentence for every meaning. Use them as a reference, or make a printable worksheet below.

Make a worksheet

Students read each sentence and write the missing word. Every word appears in several sentences, each time with a different meaning.

Words on the sheet
468
Word bank
YesNo
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Multiple-Meaning Words

Name: ____________________Date: __________

Write the missing word from the word bank in each sentence. Each word is used more than once, with a different meaning each time.

Word bank: arm · can · safe · pit · bass · press · leaves · rock

  1. Did you ________________ the button?
  2. Recycle the empty soda ________________.
  3. Boris sat near the fire ________________.
  4. The fisherman caught a huge ________________.
  5. Turn up the ________________ so we can feel the beat.
  6. We were using a ________________ as a seat.
  7. My father caught me by the ________________.
  8. I play ________________ in a jazz band.
  9. Is it ________________ for us to be here?
  10. ________________ you help me carry this box?
  11. The function of the ________________ is to provide the common people with facts.
  12. He has no idea where the ________________ is.
  13. The ________________ change colour in autumn.
  14. Which do you like better, ________________ music or classical music?
  15. Tom opened a ________________ of soup.
  16. She sat on the ________________ of the sofa.
  17. Tom was very happy that his son returned home ________________ and sound.
  18. I don't want to ________________ the boat.
  19. The train ________________ at six o'clock.
  20. Have you ever swallowed an apricot ________________?
  21. Manchester University ________________ is the university's academic publishing house.
  22. Jarno Trulli was disqualified for passing a red light at the ________________ exit.
  23. He always ________________ the window open while he sleeps.
  24. I'd give my right ________________ to be ambidextrous.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com

Answer key

  1. press — to push
  2. can — a tin
  3. pit — a hole
  4. bass — the fish
  5. bass — low music
  6. rock — a stone
  7. arm — part of the body
  8. bass — the instrument
  9. safe — out of danger
  10. can — to be able to
  11. press — newspapers
  12. safe — a strongbox
  13. leaves — of a tree
  14. rock — music
  15. can — a tin
  16. arm — a part of something
  17. safe — out of danger
  18. rock — to move gently
  19. leaves — to go away
  20. pit — a fruit stone
  21. press — a publisher
  22. pit — in a race
  23. leaves — lets stay
  24. arm — part of the body

Multiple-meaning words list

Tick up to 10 words to build a worksheet with just those words.

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Frequently asked questions

What are multiple-meaning words?

Words with the same spelling and pronunciation but more than one meaning, like bark (of a dog or of a tree) or bank (for money or of a river). You can only tell which meaning is meant from the rest of the sentence.

Are multiple-meaning words the same as homonyms?

Mostly, yes. Teachers often use "multiple-meaning words" and "homonyms" for the same idea. Homophones are different: they sound alike but are spelled differently, like flour and flower.

Are the worksheets free?

Yes. Make and print as many as you like for home or classroom use. Each sheet has its own link, so you can print the same one again.

Where do the words come from?

From past ClueBy puzzles, a daily game where you sort twelve sentences by their missing word. A new puzzle every day adds four more words to this list.

Sentences from ClueBy, Tatoeba (CC BY 2.0 FR) and Common Voice (CC0). clueby.com